The Dexter field hockey team came into this season with one goal – to defend its state title. The Dreadnaughts are one game away from that lofty goal after another impressive and dominating victory in the postseason.
Top-seeded Dexter blanked AA Father Gabriel Richard 5-0 in Thursday’s Division 2 semifinal game at Chelsea to advance to Saturday’s championship game. They will travel all the way to Grand Rapids to play next-door neighbor Chelsea in the D-2 championship game at 2 p.m. on Saturday at East Grand Rapids HS.
The Bulldogs, the second seed, defeated third-seeded Country Day 3-0 in the other semifinal game on Thursday.
Dexter and Chelsea met three times during the regular season. They played to a 2-2 draw way back on Aug. 28. Dexter won 5-2 on Sept. 20 and 2-0 on Sept. 26.
The Dreadnaughts have been impressive to say the least during their 2024 playoff run. They have outscored their three opponents 14-0 as the defense has been rock solid perfect with goalies Audrey Owen-Smith and Ella Walsh pitching shutouts.
Dexter scored two goals in the first period to take charge against the fourth-seeded Irish. Junior Allison St. Amour scored at 9:29 with an assist from sophomore Ella Graybill to make it 1-0. St. Amour then assisted on a goal by senior Elise Lu to push the lead to 2-0 at 6:34.
Dexter added two more goals in the second period. Junior Claire Dubuque scored with an assist from Lillian Mitchell at 8:07 and senior Daphne Grant scored at 3:16 with another assist from St. Amour to make it 4-0.
Junior Aiden Weinmann added a fourth-quarter goal with St. Amour’s third assist of the game to make it 5-0.
Division 1
The defending champion AA Pioneers defeated Huron on Wednesday night 4-0 in a D-1 semifinal game at Pioneer HS. They will face SEC rival Saline in the championship game at 11 a.m., on Saturday at East Grand Rapids HS. The Hornets defeated Novi 3-2 in the other semifinal game.
